By Ariel and Oscar - That Travel Nurse Couple

November 22, 2022

2632 Views

Holiday Gift Guide for Travel Healthcare Professionals

Posted on November 22, 2022January 16, 2023 by Ariel and Oscar - That Travel Nurse Couple

The holidays are upon us, and it’s time to start thinking about what gifts you might want to get the nurse in your life! I have put together a holiday gift guide for travel healthcare professionals. I’m breaking down these gift ideas into three categories: Nurses/Student Nurses, Travel Nurses, and RV Travel Nurses. A lot of these are functional, but some are also just plain cute and would make for some great work accessories.

Nurses/Student Nurses

Badge reels. These are always great, inexpensive gifts to get the nurse in your life. You can find them on Amazon or Etsy, and can be personalized to the nurse you are purchasing for! Here’s a super cute option, but there are tons of others.

Badge pens/markers. These come in handy and are another great stocking stuffer/inexpensive gift you will be thanked for!

Personalized water bottle/coffee cup. You really can’t go wrong with this option because 1) most nurses love cups/bottles with cute or funny sayings and 2) getting nurses motivated to drink more water during their shifts is never a bad thing!

Fleece/jacket. Hospitals get CHILLY. Bonus points if you get the jacket personalized!

Blue light glasses/safety glasses. Nurses spend long hours staring at computer screens/charting. We also spend a lot of time at the bedside performing interventions that could potentially expose us to a lot of germs. A great gift would either be to get regular blue light glasses for all the time spent at the computer or a combination of blue light blockers/safety glasses like these.

Travel Nurses

Packing cubes/vacuum storage bags. It’s no secret that travel nurses do a lot of packing/moving. Why not get the travel nurse in your life something they can use often and they will be forever grateful for? Packing cubes and vacuum storage bags are great gifts and will help them stay organized every time they have to move!

Digital Photo Frame. Photos help you feel close to friends and family when you are physically far away from them, but traveling with dozens of picture frames can be difficult. Get your travel nurse a digital photo frame that can hold hundreds of photos in one, so they don’t have to worry about taking tons of individual frames.

Travel journal. A fun way to help keep track of all the adventures they will have on their assignments!

Portable battery. Bound to be either on the road or on an adventure, your travel nurse may run into a dead or dying phone battery or may need to charge their cameras up to capture their latest adventure. Portable batteries are so handy to have and should be on everyone’s wish list!

White Noise Machine. Sleeping in a new place can be noisy, especially if your travel nurse is asleep during the day. White noise machines are a great and thoughtful gift to help them get their Zs. Opt for one with an optional timer so they won’t have to worry about it going off in the middle of their sleep!

RV Travel Nurses

Propane Fire Pit. Part of the fun of being a full-time RVer is getting to feel like you are camping all the time. What gets you more in the camping spirit than a campfire? Some RV parks, however, do not allow your traditional wood-burning fire pits, so propane fire pits are a great gift for the RV travel nurse in your life!

Roadside Assistance Emergency Kit. When you have a full-time RV, you do a lot of driving. You never know when an emergency will happen, and it’s always good to be prepared.

Small space heater. RVs can get cold in the wintertime, and space heaters come in handy always! This is a relatively inexpensive yet thoughtful gift for the RV travel nurse in your life.

Harvest Hosts Membership. Harvest Host campgrounds are places RVers/van lifers can stay all over the country and are typically found at wineries, breweries, farms, and other unique places. In order to stay at these places, though, you need to be a member. This is a great gift to give the adventurous RV travel nurse, you know to give them a full year of cool overnight stays!

National Parks Pass. Give the RV travel nurse the gift of one year of free access to all the national parks in the United States with this awesome gift!

We hope you found this holiday gift guide helpful. Do you have any other ideas that we should include in our next holiday gift guide? Comment them below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Nancy Howard

September 9, 2021

5787 Views

Student Guide To Travel Nursing: Succeed Today!

Posted on September 9, 2021August 19, 2021 by Nancy Howard

Travel nursing becomes especially relevant because of the current pandemic situation. That’s why more and more students are considering such a career option as a future. Now, this job can offer not only a tempting salary but also the opportunity to see new cities and even countries, and of course, taking care of people in need.

What does a student need to know to become a travel nurse? What steps to take and how to get started? Below you will find a guide to travel nursing and advice that will come in handy to get a position as a travel nurse.

Student Guide to Travel Nursing

Before finding out how a student can become a travel nurse, it is worth briefly highlighting the essence of such specialists. Travel nurses are nurses who can provide additional support to patients, fill the shortage of personnel in other cities/countries and provide timely and high-quality services. Below you will find a short guide on how to become a travel nurse.

Get Started With BSN Degree

It will take 4 years to complete this degree. However, note that some schools have programs such as RN-to-BSN for those nurses who already have an ADN.

Prepare and Pass NCLEX Exam

You will also need an RN license. So, you must first pass the corresponding exam. This test covers such topics as nursing practice, treatment conditions, healthcare system, legal and ethical issues, communication with patients, and even education.

Obtain an RN License

As already mentioned, you need to start obtaining a license. Please note that obtaining a license in one state may not be relevant for all states. Therefore, be sure to check at this point as you may need to apply for a license in the other states too.

Get Experience

If you are interested in the best vacancies and offers, then some experience will be your competitive advantage as a student. Most travel nursing agencies require a minimum of one year of nursing experience. Therefore, it is worth considering getting a good experience before you become a travel nurse.

Prepare a Quality CV

Of course, you will need to create a high-quality CV with up-to-date data. If you don’t know how to write a proper CV, see examples or use the services of professional writers. For example, you can get in touch with the Best Writers Online on the Writing Judge custom writing services reviews platform.

Keep in mind that the first impression your future employer gets is driven by your CB only. Make sure to fill it with relevant education, additional courses, and certifications, and dwell on your practical experience in detail, highlighting the tasks you faced and challenges you solved.

Partner with a Travel Nursing Agency

The last step is choosing the right agency to help you with your employment. Some schools help their graduates in this matter. Therefore, check out those agencies that are recruiting in your city or state. Get started with online research, send them your CV and wait for the response a little. You can also call the recruiters directly and offer to consider your candidacy – it will speed up the process significantly.

Essential Tips for Students Who Want to Be Travel Nurse

Now you know where to get started to become such a specialist. But since this type of activity is slightly different from the usual nursing practice, it is worth discussing some additional points that every student who wants to become a travel nurse should know about.

Get ready for total life changes. If you are planning to become a travel nurse, then you should understand that you will have to leave your loved ones, family, or children for a certain time. It is important to understand that in the event of any emergency, you may not always be able to get home without violating your work contract.
You must have savings. Before you become a travel nurse, you need to have good savings. Sometimes you can face a sudden termination of the work contract, the need for additional expenses, and so on. Having a savings account would be a good insurance policy in such a profession.
Buy quality clothing and shoes. Quality footwear is a must-have for all nurses, not just for traveling caregivers. But when we talk about travel nurses, it is vital to get not only high-quality shoes but also clothes too.
Set the right expectations. Students often assume that becoming a travel nurse is an opportunity to see the world. But in practice, it is hard work in a new environment, especially if you are going abroad. Leave romantic expectations behind and look at this profession with a sober look. Indeed, such specialization as travel nurses has many advantages, but this does not alleviate the often difficult working conditions.
You shouldn’t burn bridges with your previous job at home. When you enter the world of travel nursing, it will be wise to have a place to return. Discuss with your employer the possibility of a job recovery after the end of the contract.

The Bottom Line

Use this guide to travel nursing to start your travel nursing career. Do not forget that this is a rather difficult position, and you need to be mentally prepared for this to enjoy all the benefits of this profession. And always keep your main task in mind – you should deliver quality healthcare and sincerely love what you do to succeed as a travel nurse.

We hope this guide to travel nursing helps you along your way to a travel nursing career. Are you ready to start your travel nursing career but need an assignment? Click here to view our job board. Have the assignment but need housing? Click here to view our housing page.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

October 26, 2020

6908 Views

How to Feel Prepared for the NCLEX

Posted on October 26, 2020May 19, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

Have you recently graduated from a nursing degree program and are now studying for the NCLEX-RN? Congratulations! You’re one step closer to becoming a registered nurse!

Nurses report high job satisfaction and enjoy the variety of the many available specializations. Some of these include pediatric nursing, geriatric nursing, and mental health nursing; some nurses may also look into public health, clinical research, or hospital administration.

The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the crucial role of nurses in healthcare. When isolated patients cannot receive visits from their families, nurses are there to comfort them. Perhaps this is exactly why you are going into nursing right now – to make a difference!

Passing the NCLEX-RN is a significant milestone in the nursing profession. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is the standardized test all prospective nurses must pass to demonstrate readiness as an entry-level nurse. Studying for the exam may feel daunting at first, but there are plenty of ways to take charge of your studying and prepare yourself!

What Is the NCLEX, Anyway?

It is crucial to know what to expect from the NCLEX. Most of the exam comprises multiple-choice and drag-and-drop questions, along with some fill-in-the-blank responses. The NCLEX is a standardized exam that is offered throughout the year.

The exam utilizes Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), so all prospective registered nurses take the test on a computer. Each subsequent question is based on your prior answers. While the test bank is comprehensive, the order of the questions you receive will differ from your nursing peers. You will answer somewhere between 75 and 265 questions, depending on how you perform as the test progresses.

You will pass the test when the computer is “95 percent certain” you are above the standard. This is also called the “confidence interval rule.” If you do not meet the confidence interval rule, or if you run out of time, you will fail the NCLEX and have to wait 45 days before attempting it again.

There is no way to know how you are doing until you see the end results. Keep in mind that receiving a string of easy questions doesn’t necessarily mean you’re underperforming; conversely, receiving difficult questions doesn’t indicate that you’re breezing through.

Be prepared to sit for up to 265 questions. The test might conclude at a minimum of 75 questions, or it might not. The one thing you can control is all the preparation leading up to the exam.

Establish Effective Study Habits

If you want to be fully prepared for the NCLEX, test preparation must become your daily priority.

You’ve probably successfully completed nursing school, so you already know about the importance of good study habits. Continue to incorporate studying into your daily routine by reviewing NCLEX questions throughout the day.

NCLEX preparation requires a lot of focus, so it is critical to minimize distractions in your workspace. The smartphone is a common distraction; you may want to turn it screen-down on the desk or table, silencing it or putting the device on the “Do Not Disturb” mode. Better yet, consider leaving your phone in another room or your backpack until it’s time to take a break.

Protect Your Physical and Mental Health

If you don’t prepare your mind and body to study, you’ll likely tire yourself out and forget information. Think of yourself as an athlete building mental endurance, resting when you need to, and building strength over time. Move around each hour and take regular, short rest breaks to sharpen your mental alertness and improve your memory. Yoga and mini walks do wonders for studying! These strategies will come in handy on the day of the NCLEX when you’ll need speed and mental endurance.

Take care of your mental health by connecting with others. On top of the stress of preparing for the NCLEX, you’re likely putting high expectations on yourself. Decompress and unplug by connecting with friends and family. Laugh and do something light-hearted at some point in the day! Lean on your social network during this stressful time so you keep things in perspective while enjoying the support of those who want to see you succeed.

Use an App

Smartphone applications are a fantastic tool for NCLEX test preparation, allowing you to study more efficiently and even on the go.

Some popular apps include NCLEX RN Mastery, Davis Mobile NCLEX-RN, and UWorld NCLEX. Choose one, open it up for a few minutes each day and review flashcards, answer questions, or take quizzes. Some apps even evaluate your practice test answers and quizzes so you know which areas of the exam you need to dedicate more study time to.

Find a Study Group

Consider forming an NCLEX study group with other nursing school graduates. The study group can even use an online format with a video conferencing program. Not everyone finds study groups helpful, but having a group to work with can help keep you accountable, as well as provide camaraderie and support.

A potential downside of study groups is that some members might distract and waste time more than others. Choose your study partners carefully and make sure everyone understands the importance of staying on track. Think of yourself as a team reaching for the same finish line!

Take a Complimentary Nursing Review Course

The pandemic has affected nursing students and recent graduates waiting to take the NCLEX exam. If you are experiencing testing delays because of COVID-19, consider using the time to take a complimentary review course online. A good review course should cover all topics in the NCLEX. It will let you focus on the areas you don’t feel especially confident in, allow you to work at your own pace, and have scheduled live sessions with instructors so you have a chance to ask questions.

Look for a nursing review course today and take advantage of every resource possible. You will find yourself retaining more information, reinforcing those crucial nursing skills, and gaining the confidence you’re looking for!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 22, 2020

15458 Views

Travel Nursing Tips for New Grads

Posted on August 22, 2020May 19, 2021 by The Gypsy Nurse

More and more new Grad nurses are showing an interest in Travel Nursing. Unfortunately, travel nursing isn’t something that you can obtain an ‘internship’ in and start right away. Find out how you can become a successful travel nurse by following these Travel Nursing Tips for New Grads.

Travel Nursing is a unique specialty in itself, and requires first that you understand and know how to work under your primary specialty. Most generally, I suggest that a grad nurse first obtain a good, solid 2 years of experience before considering travel nursing.

A bit disappointed? Don’t worry…There are things that you can do NOW as a new grad that will help you to a future successful career as a Travel Nurse.

Choose a Highly Sought after Specialty

Some of the most in-demand specialties (currently) include the following. I will note that EVERY specialty has some demand, so don’t stress about choosing one of the below. High demand specialties do change, these are just some examples.

travel nurses who can aptly fill the niches of rising demand — particularly in specialty fields — will find themselves more marketable.

Labor and Delivery
Intensive Burn Care
Trauma
Emergency
Cardiovascular
Cath Lab
Neonatal
Stroke Care
Rehabilitation

Optimize your EMR Strengths/Knowledge

Electronic Medical Record Systems (EMR), are being instituted in more and more facilities across the nation. If you have experience in multiple systems, it’s always a plus. “Healthcare organizations have a choice of EMR/EHR companies and programs that are being implemented. Those who have been traveling and have had the opportunity to be oriented and use different programs, or have become quite proficient in a particular one to be considered a ‘superuser,’ are in demand now. Informatics is the future.” – Karen Flaster, RN, CEO HRN Services Inc.

As a new grad, becoming a super-user or expanding beyond the basic knowledge and day to day use can be a great asset and make you stand out among other travel nurses when the time comes. Utilize the free training at your staff hospital and maximize this potential.

Obtain Relevant Specialty Certifications

Obtaining specialty certifications that coincide with your field of practice is highly recommended. Not only can you generally obtain these certifications through your full-time place of employment, but they will also enhance your marketability once you begin seeking that first Travel Nurse position.

American Heart Association Stroke Certification –

Given the annual national statistics on Americans who suffer strokes and the number of hospitals that are becoming NIH certified, this certification is currently in high demand.

Gerontological Nurse (GNC) –

AARP states that In 2011, the first of the baby boom generation reached what used to be known as retirement age. And for the next 18 years, boomers will be turning 65 at a rate of about 8,000 a day

ACLS –

ACLS is nearly a requirement for the travel nurse, regardless of the specialty. More and more hospitals and staffing agencies are requiring this certification prior to employment.

It goes without saying that if you work pediatrics you should obtain the relevant certifications associated with this unique field (PALS). In addition, any other specialty certifications are always a plus, for example, ECMO.

There are hundreds of nursing specialty certifications that you can explore. Find out which certifications are appropriate for your specialty and seek certification.

A few other Travel Nursing Tips for New Grads would include:

Make sure that Travel Nursing is Right for you.
Learn your specialty! Before choosing to head out on your first travel nursing adventure, you will need to be confident in your skills. I encourage you to seek out learning experiences.
Be patient. I know that your ‘Hypertravelosis’ is nagging at you to hit the road, but a little patience and pre-planning will help you be a successful travel nurse.
Reach out to current Travel Nurses and Ask Questions!
Know the Myths. There is a lot of ‘glamorization’ of Travel Nursing…the truth of the business isn’t’ nearly as glamorous as many think. Know the ins/outs of the business.
Once you have a year’s experience, you can begin to explore options that will help you decide if you would enjoy Travel Nursing.
Research….research….research!!

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Leah Gnitka

August 20, 2019

6197 Views

Advice to the Nursing Student from a Seasoned Travel Nurse

Posted on August 20, 2019March 24, 2023 by Leah Gnitka

Advice to the Nursing Student

Whether you are just starting nursing school or you are in your final year or semester, getting advice from seasoned nurses is always nice, but it is even better when you get advice from a seasoned travel nurse. Below you will find a few pieces of advice to the nursing student from a fellow Gypsy Nurse.

Remember why you started

Everyone has a why. There was a reason why you chose to do nursing, a reason why this profession called you. There was a reason why you want to go into a career that cares for people. When nursing school is tough, remember why you started in the first place; and by remembering that why, may it encourage you to continue on through the journey. Nursing school won’t last forever.

Team up with classmates

You are all in this together, why not help each other out. Sometimes studying with other classmates can be the best way to study. Maybe you understand something better than someone else, or maybe your friend knows how to explain the process of something to you in a clearer way. Studying with other people can also be more fun and less lonely. Have study sleepovers, library dates, and group study sessions. Nursing school is not a competition; work together to make it through.

Get involved

Get involved in your school, get involved in nursing, get involved in your community. While you’re in college you have the opportunity to take advantage of so many opportunities – so take them! Find a place you can volunteer at (local hospitals, Boys & Girls Club, food shelf, etc.); join a club on campus (Student Nurses Association – *cough cough*); do a summer internship; research ways to get involved during your college years. This is the time for you to both try out new things and work on building your resume.

Cherish the moments

Nursing school doesn’t last forever; nursing school is just a part of your life. It may seem like the longest four years of your life, but once you cross that stage on graduation night it will seem like nursing school just flashed before your eyes. So cherish the moments during this journey. Remember how funny it is when the mannequin’s arm falls off during simulation lab; or how awkward it was asking your classmate to listen to their bowel sounds for your head-to-toe assessment; also, remember the ugly scrubs you had to wear to clinicals; remember all the special moments and look back on it all with a smile.

Remember making it into nursing school is an accomplishment in itself

When days get tough and you don’t think you’ll be able to make it through; remember that you are the rock star the made it into nursing school. Don’t forget how hard it was just to even get in to nursing school, and you made it in for a reason. So if you’re thinking about quitting nursing school, remember how much you’ve already accomplished.

We hope that you found this advice for the nursing student helpful! If you would like more information on travel nursing itself check out our Travel Nurse Guide!

By The Gypsy Nurse

July 3, 2019

20000 Views

Beyond the Scrubs: Side Hustles and Passive Income Ideas for Nurses

Posted on July 3, 2019December 19, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

Nurses Notes…Charting Errors

We have all been there at least once. Reading through the previous shifts charting, you’ve seen it. The nurse note charting error that makes you laugh out loud. When we are in a hurry or stressed, sometimes spellcheck isn’t enough.

OOPS! Moments

“Patient ambulates independently in hell with a front wheeled walker.”
“the patient may shower with assistants…”
“The patient was prepped and raped in the usual manner.” Found on Post-op patient chart
“Her pap smear was done on the floor.”
“Shortness of breath on excretion.”
“Patient lying in bed. Easily aroused” – the patient had a penile implant; easy mistake for a first-semester student.
“Scrotal dressing intact” – when last seen was a sacral dressing.
“Pedal pulses diminished” – which was reasonable, as both of the patient’s legs had been amputated.
“Patient nauseated but refused anti-emetics as he stated he’d feel much better if he could just get it up.”
“Patient found this nurse in bed hot and diaphoretic.”
“Pt has been hospitalized for constipation twice within the last 60 days. Several tests were run, but nothing concrete came out.”
“Large brown stool ambulating in the hallway.”
The patient is awake and alert, with many visitors in bed.
“She was sick after coming back from the zoo as she had eaten too many penguins.” (Chocolate bars)
“The patient states that he has been feeling much better since he stopped drinking and going to church.”
“She is numb from her toes down.”

What nurse note charting errors have you found? Share your humorous finds in the comments below.

Want to be a Travel Nurse?

START HERE

Need some tips on Charting?

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 12, 2018

8304 Views

Nursing: A Healthy Back

Posted on August 12, 2018April 20, 2022 by The Gypsy Nurse

A nurse’s back is his/her most used tool. If you end up with an injury or a strain, it will make it almost impossible to do your job and take care of others.

We push, pull, lift, turn all day long. It’s important to maintain good back safety. Back injuries are very prevalent in the nursing field. In the latest study that I can find, the Bureau of Labor Statistics states the following:

In all industries combined, 1998 injury data shows that nearly 12 out of 100 nurses in hospitals and 17.3 out of 100 nurses working in nursing homes report work-related musculoskeletal injuries, including back injuries, which is about double the rate for all industries combined.

It’s important as a nurse to remember to take care of your back. Here are a few reminders of ways to help prevent back injuries.

Before you lift, turn, or transfer a patient, think through the task. Do you need assistance? Is there equipment that will help? Are you able to maintain both your own safety as well as the patient’s safety?
Utilize proper lifting techniques. We have all been taught safe lifting techniques; use them.
Use assistive equipment when it’s available. It may take more time, but your health and safety are worth it.
Ask for assistance from your co-workers to turn, transfer, etc. In addition to asking for assistance, be willing to assist your co-workers when they ask.
Perform regular back exercises for good back health.

When I think of an exercise routine, I immediately think that this takes out of my daily schedule. The Mayo Clinic has a quick 15 minute Back Exercises side-show that will help keep your back in shape.

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 8, 2018

39470 Views

Step #2: What Will You Get Out of Travel Nursing?

Posted on August 8, 2018July 24, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

The benefits of travel nursing vary depending on the person. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what you want to get out of your travel nursing career.

To help guide you, we’re going to help you nail down what perks you want most in your travel nurse career. In order to effectively communicate with your recruiter, it’s important to know what is most important to you!

Remember that handy list on why you want to travel from Step #1? Let’s turn that page over and make another list. Brainstorm your personal wants and needs. Don’t worry about making it perfect right now. Just jot down everything you can think of that you could want or need out of travel nursing!

What You Can Get Out of Travel Nursing

When looking at your personal desires and considering what you can get out of travel nursing, it’s important to decipher between a need and a want. Needs are more pressing, while your wants should be items that feel more flexible to you.

Examples of Wants:

12 or 8-hour shifts
Teaching facility versus non-teaching
Small or large hospitals
Location
Overtime availability
100% guaranteed hours (Many people think every travel nursing contract has guaranteed hours–but a lot have some level of a call off policy)
Types of housing available

Examples of Needs:

Salary
Shift
Time off during your contract for non-negotiable events (weddings, baby showers, etc.)
Health insurance
Start date

As you can see, some of these items could go on either list. So, how do you determine what benefits you really need to glean from travel nursing?

You will have to weigh the pros and cons.

Let’s walk through some example scenarios:

You might want to start on September 1st but need to be finished with a contract by a certain date due to a family event in a different state than the contract.

You might want to be in California but most importantly need to be somewhere on the West Coast because your daughter is expecting her first baby.

Now that you have a brainstorm list go back through it and highlight items that are true NEEDS. This list can also change over time! When you are ready, you can return to the introduction or move forward or back using the article links below.

Ready to start your travel nurse career?

Find your Next Gypsy Nurse Contract right here on The Gypsy Nurse!

By The Gypsy Nurse

August 8, 2018

58253 Views

Step #7: Research Travel Nurse Agencies

Posted on August 8, 2018July 24, 2023 by The Gypsy Nurse

How to Research Travel Nurse Agencies

There are several factors in determining what agencies to work with. As you learn how to research travel nurse agencies, keep in mind that you need an agency that you can trust, that has the benefits and services that you want and need and can accommodate your deal breakers.

Get Travel Nurse Agency Referrals

Before you start Googling or calling random agencies, ask for recommendations from your travel nurse friends or on the Gypsy Nurse Facebook Network. Choosing a travel nurse agency is about more than what agency shows up on a search first, so be thoughtful about this step.

Read Travel Nurse Agency Reviews

When you are researching travel nurse agencies, start at our Review Page. If you have completed a contract, make sure to fill out an agency review to help the next travel nurse trying to research travel nurse agencies.

Check Our Yearly Rankings

Here at Gypsy Nurse, we have the most comprehensive agency review program in the industry. We hired two top independent market research firms to create and conduct a yearly survey of our travel nurses to help with choosing a travel nurse agency. You can see all of our current and previous rankings here.

Make Agency Contact

When you have a list of several companies that you want to pursue, then you can start making calls. If you have a specific recruiter that you want to contact make this clear on your initial contact with the agency. Make certain to note if someone directly referred you to the agency, because they might be eligible for a referral bonus.

It’s not recommend signing up with job boards when choosing a travel nurse agency as you will be bombarded with phone calls/emails from these sites. We recommend that you connect directly with the agencies that you are interested in after doing some individual research. The Gypsy Nurse Job Listings allow you to search and apply with ONLY the company that you are interested in!

Interviewing the Agency

When you interview travel nurse recruiters (yes, YOU will interview THEM), it’s important to address your questions in the order of importance to you. If a company isn’t able to meet your deal-breakers, it probably isn’t worth your time or theirs to continue. Make sure to find a recruiter who will be patient and in depth with explaining things like pay, especially for your first contract. Travel nurse pay can be very confusing. Make sure you understand your pay and then you can diagnose your pay package more effectively.

Keep in mind that not all recruiters have the same style or approach. If you have positive experiences with a company but are struggling to connect with your recruiter, don’t be afraid to ask for a different recruiter! Part of learning how to research travel nurse agencies is learning how to interview recruiters and find your best fit as well.

EXPERT TIP:

VET YOUR CHOSEN COMPANY/RECRUITER VIA THE GYPSY NURSE NETWORK BY ASKING FOR SPECIFIC FEEDBACK ON THE AGENCY OR USING THE SEARCH OPTION AT THE TOP OF THE GROUP.

How to Research Travel Nurse Agencies – Interview the Agency

Potential Questions for Choosing a Travel Nurse Agency

PAY
- Ask the recruiter first and foremost to explain the company’s pay structure
- What is the Average Pay? Low/high amount for specialty based on location.
- Missed shift penalties and ability to make up shift
BENEFITS
- What benefits are offered? Health insurance, 401K, paid time off, holiday pay, overtime pay, bonus, sick time, travel reimbursement, license reimbursement, etc.
- If they offer a 401k match, how long until the traveler is vested?
HOUSING
- What options do you offer for Housing?
- Does the agency offer furnished housing/stipend/both?
- Here is where you will ask about any housing details or options that you want.
- Do you pay for parking? This is especially important in a large city i.e. San Francisco
- How early can I move into my housing? How long at end of contract do I have to move out?
- Will you provide pet-friendly housing?
CONTRACTS
- Do they contract in all states, one state or in a particular area of the country?
- Do they have ‘exclusive’ contracts? Where?
- Are there penalties for early termination of contract? What are they?
- What is the notice given if a hospital cancels a contract?
- If you’re looking for a transitional contract that will turn into permanent, ask if there are penalties/or exclusion clauses for you or the hospital. Any non-compete clauses you should be aware of?
OTHER
- What is the structure of the company? Does the recruiter do everything for you (housing, time sheets, contracts, etc) or are there separate people for these duties?
- How often does the recruiter ‘check-in’ with you during contract?
- Is there someone who will answer calls during off-hours if you find yourself in a bad situation at work during nights or weekends?
- Last but not least….make sure to ask about your specific Deal-Breakers and anything that is on your want’s/needs list.

This is not an exhaustive list of all the questions to ask when choosing a travel nurse agency, but hopefully it will get you started!

Create Your Profile

It’s time now to narrow down your choices to about three companies that you want to fill out paperwork for and potentially work with. It is common in the travel nurse industry to have your profile with several companies. Once you have your choice of companies narrowed down, it’s time to submit your profile to them. If you find other companies you want to work with later on, you can always add more. Working with too many companies can get confusing and overwhelming, so it’s usually easier to pick a few recruiters and companies that you really like.

Make sure that you take notes on what each company offers (or have them email the information to you) to refer back to. Choosing a travel nurse agency is a lot of work up front, but once you are set with your favorites, it gets much easier.

Are there other questions that are on your list when you research travel nurse agencies? Is there something that you want to ask but are not sure if it’s appropriate? Post your thoughts or questions in the comments below, and I will try to address them.

You can return to the the introduction or move forward or back using the article links below.

Nurses/Student Nurses

Travel Nurses

RV Travel Nurses

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

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The Bottom Line

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